December 31, 2013

NBA admits Marion fouled Love with one second left

MINNEAPOLIS -- The NBA was very late with the gifts this holiday season, but they apparently awarded the Dallas Mavericks a late Christmas present.

Earlier today the league admitted that Mavs forward Shawn Marion should have been whistled for a foul Monday night against Minnesota sharpshooter Kevin Love during Dallas' 100-98 victory over the Timberwolves with one second remaining in the game.

The league's statement from Rod Thorn, the NBA President of Basketball Operations, read: “Through postgame video review, we have determined that Minnesota’s Kevin Love was fouled on the right arm by Dallas’ Shawn Marion while attempting a two-point field goal. "Love should have been awarded two free throws with one second left on the clock.”

Had the foul been called, Love would have been at the free throw line shooting a pair of free throws to potentially tie the game and send it into overtime. An 83 percent free throw shooter this season, for the game Love was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe and poured in a game-high 36 points.